The National tribune., 1887-01-13
WILL ooNGKEss DO JUsrIcEs


the eyes Of every veteran and every friend
Of veterans are turned inquiringly upon 1t.
The reports Of its proceedings are scanned
with painful anxiety by gray-haired, needy
and broken men all over the Nation, who
look to it-and have the right to do so-to
succor them in their hour Of need, even as
they succored the Nation at fearful cost to
themselves in its hour Of need.
There is no measuring the anguish of these
most deserving men, as year after year they
have seen Congress adjourn without giving
them the relief to which its honor is solemnly
pledged. Each year has seen them age with
the fearful rapidity of physically
men-has seen their hair grow whittier, their
steps feebler, their hands less able TO earn
them even the scantiest livelihood, while
disease became their cruel tyrant Hope
kept their courage up while Congress was IN
session, but their hearts turned sick with the
bitterness Of despair when the day OF ad-
iodrnment came without the passage of
single measure of the relief they know they
are justly entitled to.
If ever Justice is to be done these men it
must be done now-now while they are yet
alive and making fight against Pain and
Want as desperate as any they made against
the enemies OF their country They want
shelter, food, fuel, clothing and medicines
for themselves and families nOp-not trib-
utes 10 their patriotism" "eulogies on their
valor," etc, after they are dead.
When the country was in need they forgot
or sacrificed everything that would hinder
their rushing TO her service. 1t is dishon-
orable as well as cruel for that Nation 10 de-
lay from year to year-haggle and bubble
over giving them that which they richly
earned, which is their right in law and
equity, and which will afford some measure
Of support for them in their declining years.
Tens Of thousands have already been allowed
to sink into their graves after years of priva-
ton and suffering, which should have been
lightened by the Nations payment of its
honest debts to them. What terms are suf-
ficiently harsh to properly designate that
form of reputation which seeks to escape
payment by delaying payment until broken
health, want and disappointment have carried
the creditor beyond the reach Of payment.
There is no obstacle now in the way OF
Congress doing its duty. Ithas bill before
it which has received the approval Of the
great mass Of the veterans Of the country,
and those who are their sincere friends. 1t
has been discussed before the whole country,
and it's Justice admitted on all hands No
proposed pension measure ever received so
thorough a study by all, or was so generally
accepted. Congressman cannot plead lack OF
information upon the subject, for substanti-
ally the same bin has been before them for
consideration for several years, and every
feature of it has been discussed and re-
discussed in the House and in the Senate
Committee room, and on the floor. Every
clause has been overlaid with amendments
and Congressional ingenuity has been ex.
hausted in remodeling these into the present
form of the bill.
Therefore there is no longer any excuse
for delay on the pretense of desiring moro
information, or TO frame better bill TIL,
bin is as good as we can ever hope to make
bill, and whatever defects it may have car
be cured by subsequent legislation, while i
will be still doing its splendid work for goot
in taking veterans out of the poor-houses
and in preventing those from going Their
who are struggling TO avoid its dreaded por
tails No more information can be had b.
Congressman, for they have already bee
given all there is to give, and that over an'
over again.
The question is therefore reduced to il
simplest proportions: Shall the country re
deem its promises to the soldiers? If Sc
then make the beginning by passing thi
bin.